The Gospel of the Son of God
Introduction
The Gospel of John is distinct among the four Gospels. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels) share much of the same material and follow a similar structure, John writes with a clear theological purpose. He presents Yeshua as the eternal Son of God who became flesh, and he calls his readers to believe in Him for eternal life.
John states his purpose clearly near the end of his Gospel:
John 20:31 — “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John writes as an eyewitness. He was one of the twelve apostles and refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” His Gospel contains many extended discourses of Jesus, seven “I Am” statements, and a strong emphasis on the deity of Christ. It also records several miracles (which John calls “signs”) that reveal who Jesus truly is.
Key Themes in John
- The deity of Yeshua (He is God in the flesh)
- Belief versus unbelief
- Light and darkness
- Eternal life received through faith in the Son
- The relationship between the Father and the Son
- The promise and work of the Holy Spirit
- The new birth
Important Verses for Later Review
The following verses are especially significant theologically and may benefit from future commentary or clarification:
- John 1:1 and John 1:14 — The Word was God and became flesh.
- John 1:12-13 — Born of God, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man.
- John 3:3 and John 3:5 — The necessity of being born again / born of water and the Spirit.
- John 3:16 — God’s love and the gift of His Son.
- John 5:24 — Passing from death to life through hearing and believing.
- John 6:35 and John 6:47 — Jesus as the Bread of Life.
- John 10:30 — “I and My Father are one.”
- John 14:6 — “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
- John 17 — Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.
- John 20:28-31 — Thomas’ confession and the purpose of the Gospel.